The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-11
NO FREE ADS" IN THE MAILS.
New Ruling on the Obnoxious Postal
Regulation.

The Postmaster General has put another
construction on the new postal regulation
in regard to third and fourth class matter.
Under section 81 and 372 of the revised
Postal Laws and Regulations, that went
into effect Sept. j., third class matter con-
ssts of printed matter market reports,
circulars and all other printed commuDica-
tons which contain no personal matter or
writing of any kind.
The envelopes containing such matter
must have upon them only the names Of the
addresses, the card of the addreSser and his
address, without anything more than
enough 10 identify the letter and sender, by
name, with his place of business, if be so de
sires. Nothing is allowed i'll the way of an
advertisement OF the business of the sender.
As to the fourth-class matter, the inclosure
of any written communication is prohibited.
Such packages must contain only merchan-
disc, such as samples, etc, not over four
pounds in weight, at 1c. per ounce, or any
fractional part thereof The marks on the
face or surface Of the package shall be only
the name of the sender with the word
from" above and preceding the same, and
there may be also written or printed the
number and names of the articles enclosed,
and the sender thereof may write or print
or attach to any such articles, by tag or label,
a mark, number. name or letter for the pur-
pose of identification. Nothing is allowed
in the way of an advertisement of the bust
ness of the sender.
The contents of any envelope in either
class may be descriptive, directions for use,
or other information respecting the articles
enclosed as part of the original packages or
labels done up for transmission if the same
be printed, but upon the surface or face of
the package for mailing no writing. print
ing or marks other than those authorized by
the statute can be placed without subjecting
the matter to first-class rates.
Possibly future legislation may correct
what now seems to be an inconvenient rule
for business men to follow. So long as the
law stands as it now does the post office
officials are bound to enforce it as it reads
and as it has been construed by the depart
ment.
a special ruling has just been made by
the department with reference to the mail
ing of samples-all words except the word
sample and the name OF the sender with
the word from preceding it, and the name
of the addressee and his address, are erased
as not permissible
The Postmaster General holds that under
strict Interpretation of the law merchants
and the public generally are not permitted
to display their names or business addresses
either printed or written on any mail mat
ter except that upon which the full letter
rate of postage is paid. Ia one instance,
a bookseller III New York made a sale
to a customer residing in New Orleans,
and the books were mailed as third
class matter. In addition to the name
and post Office address of the purchaser
the dealer marked printed matter" with
pen and ink in one corner of the package.
Acting under the instructions of the depart
ment the postmaster charged full letter
rates for the package, which the purchaser
refused to pay. There were a number OF
similar cases forwarded to the department
as samples of the hardship under which
the business communities suffer in
this connection. Many persons who
have patented tags and labels for
marking packages have affixed their
names to the same, and it is claimed that
the loss will be exceedingly heavy, unless
they are permitted to use them. In view of
this fact the Postmaster General has decided
that such tags and labels may be used on
mail matter below class one provided all
traces of anything resembling a business
advertisement are obliterated He claims
that he is obliged to. enforce the law as he
finds it, and that any redress in this direc-
ton must come from Congress. He will lay
the subject before the President in his an
nual report on the postal affairs Of the gov
eminent.